[rsync]

"How about maybe stop trying to find the cheapest people you can?"

I have personal projects and experimental setups that I need freelance help with. They are non-profit and it is unknown how I will even use the eventual work-product ...

... so it's not ridiculous that I might look for a temporary worker (as opposed to hiring a full time dev, as has been suggested elsewhere in this comment thread) nor is it ridiculous that I might be very price sensitive.

It is, however, ridiculous that one cannot embark on such an endeavor without a reasonable expectation of being scammed. I couldn't care less what country someone comes from nor what their native language is, etc. - I am happy to work with anyone that can deliver. However, this article - along with my own experience - suggests one needs to be cautious of outright fraud perpetrated by despicable actors.

[learc83]

If you are so price sensitive that you have to look for someone in a low cost of living country, don't be surprised that your risk of being scammed is higher. There is basically no legal remedy if someone from a country with no functioning rule of law and limited access to the courts for foreigners scams you. And the people you are hiring are aware that there is no real consequence to scamming you.

In a perfect world no one would scam you, but then again in a perfect world you wouldn't be looking for people who live in developing countries to do cheap work for you.